Axle-box.



No. 844,122. v 'PATENTED FEB. 12, 1907. w. P. G-RAFFIS.

, AXLE'BOX. APPLICATION FILED AUG-13,1906.

I WILLIAM F. GRAFFIS, OF MANITO, ILLINOIS.

AXLE-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 12,1907.

Application filed August 18, 1906. Serial No. 330.463.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM citizen of the United States, residing atManito, in the county of Mason and State of Illinois, have invented newand useful Improvements in Axle-Boxes, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention pertains to axle-boxes or boxes for wheel-hubs; and itcontemplates the provision of a simple, durable, and efiicientball-bearing axlebox and one which may be readily and thoroughlylubricated when necessary.

Other advantageous features of the invention will be fully understoodfrom the following specification and claim when the same are read inconnection with the accompanying drawings, forming part of thisspecification, in which Figure 1 is a diametrical section illustrating awheel-hub equipped with the axle-box constituting the present andpreferred embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2 com prises disconnectedelevations of the sections forming the outer ballrace of the axle-box,and Fig; 3 comprises disconnected elevations of the sections forming theinner ball-races of the box.

Similar letters designate corresponding parts in all of the views of thedrawings, referring to which A is an axle-spindle. This spindle mergesat its inner end into the usual collar a, and it is provided at itsinner end with a thread 6 and at its outer end with a thread 0.

B is a wheel-hub provided with lubricantducts (Z, normally closed byplugs c, and C is a boxing, preferably but not necessarily oi cast-iron,snugly arranged in the hub B and having apertures f registered with theducts (Z of the hub. Said boxing C is also provided at its inner endwith a threaded chamber 9, and in its outer end with a comparativelysmall threaded chamber h. These chairbers receive exteriorlythreadedshells D and E, which shells are of chilled steel or other materialcompatible with their purpose. In addition to the elements named theaxle-box comprises the inner ball-race sections F, G, and II, theantifriction-balls I complementary thereto, the outer ball-race sectionsJ and K, and the antifriction-balls M employed in combination therewith.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 3 it will be observed that the section G hasreduced the threaded ends 76, ball-race portions Z at the F. GRAFFIS, aperimeter of its intermediate portion a,

inner ends thereof, an oil-pocket m in thgi an passages 19, leading fromthe ends of the pocket at to the ball-race portions Z, so as to conductto the ball-races the lubricant received in the said pocket 1%. The saidsec tion G is tubularand interiorly threaded to permit of its beingscrewed on and 0d the threaded portion 1) of the spindle A, and it isfurther provided with recesses r at opposite points, designed to afforda hold for a spanner, wrench, or the like during the turning of thesection on or oh. the spindle A. The sections F and II are screwed onthe threaded ends of the section G and are provided with spanner-holds sand ball-race portions 15, the latter serving, in combination with theportions Z of the sections G, to retain the antitriction-balls I. Thusit will be seen that when necessary the section G may be turned off thespindle A, and then the sections F and H may be turned outward on theends of the section G to permit of the removal of the balls I forcleaning or for any other purpose.

The section J, Figs. 1 and 2, is in the form of a nut and is preferablyprovided with an inwardly-directed band a, which loosely receives theouter end of the boxing G. Said section J is interiorly threaded toscrew on and oil the threaded portion 0 of spindle A, and it is providedwith an exteriorlythreaded inner end Q) and a ball-race portion 112. Thesection K is adapted to screw on and oil the end 1) of section J and isprovided with wrench or spanner holds 00, a ball-race,

portion y, and a lubricant-pocket .2, the latter being connected by anaperture 2 with the said ball-race portion. It will be noted from theforegoing that when the section K is properly positioned on the sectionJ the balls M will be retained between the two sections, also thatsubsequent to the removal of section J from spindle A the section K maybe turned outward on the threaded end of section J to permit of theballs M being readily cleaned or for any other purpose.

All of the parts of the novel axle-box, excepting the boxing C, arepreferably of chilled steel or other metal adapted to withstandl'rictional wear.

In the practical use oi the axle-box the lubricant-pockets m and z arearranged under the lubricant-ducts, Fig. 1, and hence it'will beapparent that when lubricant is supplied to said ducts it will beconducted directly to the antifriction-balls and the ball-races, whereit is most needed. It will also be apparent that because of thehard-metal shells D and E bearing on the balls I and M the turning ofthe boxing C and hub B will be attended by but a minimum amount offriction.

' Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is

The combination in an axle-box, of a spindle having threaded portions, aboxing surrounding the spindle, an interiorly-threaded ball-race sectionsecured on the inner threaded portion of the spindle and havingexteriorly-threaded end portions, interiorlythreaded end ball-racesections mounted on the firstdnentioned section, balls arranged in theraces formed by said sections, an interiorly and exteriorly threadedball-race section mounted on the outer threaded portion of the spindle,an interiorly-threaded sec tion mounted on the latter section, and antifriction-balls held between the two latter sections.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM F. GRAFFIS'.

l/Vitnesses:

HEROD HUNT,

JAMES S. Mines.

